Monday, October 29, 2018

God’s 7000 Year Plan for mankind


God’s 7000 Year Plan for mankind                  October 27, 2018

******** I combined two messages into one *******

Disclaimer:  Many different groups and individuals will have different dates for the 7000 years dates, but they all agree on one thing, that God does have a 7000 year plan for mankind.

Most people - even Christians - have never heard about God's 7,000-year master plan for mankind. Does the Bible give any support to this 6000 or 7000 year timeline plan of God for the earth? 

As far as I can tell, there is no one verse that says this.  We are going to look at the common verses we have covered before.

Basic stuff, doctrines we should already know about.

Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,  (2)  instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Notice, it tells us the name of our doctrines, what they are, but it does not explain what it is and what we are to do.  There is really not one verse explains these doctrines.   So, what are we to do.

We need to search the Scriptures.  

John 5:39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,  (15)  and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  

(16)  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  (17)  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Well, think about it, does God have a plan for mankind? This great plan is pictured by the seven-day week.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God know the end from the beginning, written evidence has been known when the end would occur from the very Beginning.  God has a plan for His creation.

Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.  (10)  I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

Isaiah says that God "inhabits eternity” and function outside of time.

Isaiah 57:15  For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity {lives forever}, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

We cannot know the day or the hour of Jesus return, but we CAN know when it is near

Matthew 25:13  "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Is it really hard to believe the fact that God has allotted 6,000 years to man’s self-rule and let man see how they can handle it and then Jesus will take over the next 1000 years; so mankind can see what the world will be like then.

Do we not celebrates the fall Holy Days that man’s rule over man will come to an end and Jesus will rule during the following 1000 year period, then we see true and lasting peace, happiness and prosperity.

Well, think about it, does God have a plan for mankind? This great plan is pictured by the week of seven days.

When Jesus originally set time in motion, He gave man six work days followed by a day of rest. 

The Apostle Paul tells us that the 7th day is mentioned as a type of the peaceful, 1,000-year rest on the earth that will follow the age in which we live. Here we see how the Millennium is likened to a day of the week: 

Hebrews 4:4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "On the seventh day God rested from all his works."

Hebrews 4:11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

The Apostle John wrote about the peaceful rule of Jesus after He takes control of the earth as a 1000 years.  Can we not figure if the last day of God’s 7,000-year plan equals 1,000 years, then the preceding six days which God allotted for man would equal 6,000 years:  

Revelation 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

What is the lesson that mankind is to learn, that mankind cannot live without a loving Creator ruling them.  Jesus has not interfere in the affairs of man for almost 6000 years except in certain instance, Because He wants man to compare the curses that result from rejecting Him and the rest and peace that comes from His rule over mankind.

How long have we been here, and how long will we remain?  The Bible teaches that human history is unfolding along a timeline of only 7,000 years, with the last thousand years comprising the Jesus kingdom to be installed upon His return to the earth.

God has set aside a period of 7000 years to fulfill His plan for mankind and that plan began nearly 6000 years ago.  We find the pattern for His plan in the first two chapters of Genesis.   It is the week of seven days.

Jesus worked for 6 days and ended His work, rested on the 7th day at the creation:

Genesis 2:2-3  And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.  (3)  Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

The doctrine of the 7,000-year plan of God was widely accepted by the early church and in one verse in a prayer of Moses, appears to give His secret out, actuallength of time” of a “day” in God’s master time plan:

Moses in his prayer actually gives out God’s hidden secret,  actuallength of time” of a “day” in God’s master time plan:  A thousand years in your sight are like a day.”:

Psalms 90:1-3  A Prayer Of Moses the Man of God. LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. (2)  Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting {past} to everlasting {future}, You are God.

(3)  You turn man to destruction {reference to Great Tribulation), And say, "Return, O children of men." 

Psalms 90:4  A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 

{‘6,000 years’ is the sign “a watch in the night” as Jesus promised the Saints would NOT be taken like a thief in the night}

God’s plan was widely accepted by the early church and the Apostle Peter establishes the context of this scripture is the LAST DAYS and also establishes that in context of the last days the subject is the timing of the SECOND COMING: 

2 Peter 3:3-4  Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  

(4)  They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

Verse 3 establishes the context of this scripture is the LAST DAYS.  Verse 4 establishes that in context of the last days the subject is the timing of the SECOND COMING

Peter understood the 7-day week pattern, tells us something important, not to forget and a key to understanding God’s plan for mankind and confirms the length of day.

2 Peter 3:8  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Church Fathers writings, there are more not covered

·      Around 200 AD, Eusebius writes “there will be a period of some thousand years after the (first) resurrection of the dead, and that the Kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this very earth!” ( Ecclesiastical History, B3, C 39)

·      Justin Martyr taught the same thing, saying that after the 1,000-year reign of Christ on the earth a general resurrection and judgment of all people would take place.  (Dialogue with Trypho, Chapters 80 and 81)

·      Irenaeus,130–202, wrote: “For in as many days as this world was made, in so many thousand years shall it be concluded” “”(Gen. 2: 1, 2) of the things formerly created, as also it is a prophecy of what is to come” (Against Heresies, B5, C 28, 33)

The apostle Paul has this principle in mind when he explains that the seventh day of the week pictures the peaceful time of rest that will follow this present age.

Hebrews 4:4  For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS";

Hebrews 4:11  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Paul told us the 7th day of the week is pictured as a type of peaceful “rest” on earth which will follow Christ’s return or known as the Lord’s Day.

OK, so what happen, who is the god of this world today from the time of Adam, almost 6000 years of recorded human history.  

Revelation 12:9  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

The Apostle Paul said: you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler or prince of the kingdom or power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient:  

Ephesians 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Paul also wrote: The god of this age {Satan} has blinded the minds of unbelievers:   

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

God has turned over to Satan, “6”, 1000 year days in which to show his ways leads to death for mankind. During the first 6000 years since Adam’s sin, God has allowed humanity to go its own way, do its own thing, govern itself by its own laws, as influenced by Satan.  During the last 1000 years, man will be ruled directly by Jesus and the saints (that is you and me).  We saw Satan and his demons will then be completely restrained from broadcasting his evil attitudes to individuals.

John tells us this period of time will happen after Jesus returns and Jesus disclosed the secret concerning His master time plan and for the first time ever, the coming 1000 year period where Jesus will rule on the earth. 

Revelation 20:2-5  He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.  (3)  He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.  (4)  I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (5)  (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.  

So Satan was there for the first 6000 years of recorded history and then removed for the last 1000 years.  Since the last day of God’s plan is 1000 years, then it would follow the preceding 6 days would amount to 6000 years, a total of 7000 years.

God has refrained from intervening in world affairs except for certain individuals for nearly 6000 years because He has allotted mankind 6000 years in which to learn that the ways of man (Satan) bring nothing but suffering and death.

When we look at charts with dates showing that Adam may have created around the year 4000 BC and nearly another 2000 years have gone by since Jesus birth, an amazing total of about 6000 years. 

We have Jesus promise that He will return before mankind would kill themselves off, set up His Kingdom of God during the 1000 years, change those who are called during this time and finally bring a lasting peace to all humans.  We will be change.

Matthew 24:22 "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Mark tells us, time will be shortened for the sake of the elect: 

Mark 13:20 "If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

That is the basic of God’s plan for mankind, but unfortunately Adam and Eve ate of the tree in the Garden of Eden which set a pattern for the entire human race.

Romans 5:12  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned

Since the time that Adam listened to Satan, all mankind pursued the way of Satan that leads to suffering and death. 

Genesis 2:17  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Interesting, it would be the sacrifice of Jesus at Passover approximately 4000 years after Adam, that the Holy Spirit was given to Mankind with a few exceptions those who were called to perform service to God.

1 Peter 1:10-11  Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,  (11)  searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

OK, so what happen, who is the God of this world today from the time of Adam, almost 6000 years of recorded human history.  

Ephesians 2:2  in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  {or according to the prince of the power of the air}

2 Corinthians 4:4  The god of this age {Satan} has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Revelation 12:9  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

God has allotted 7000 year week for human history, but God has turned over to Satan 6, 1000 year days in which to show his ways leads to death for mankind.  We are near the end of the first 6000 years and ready of the Sabbath day rest when Jesus sets up His Kingdom of God with us there.

During the first 6000 years since Adam’s sin, God has allowed humanity to go its own way, do its own thing, govern itself by its own laws, as influenced by Satan.  During the last 1000 years, man will be ruled directly by Jesus and the saints (that is you and me).  We saw Satan and his demons will then be completely restrained from broadcasting his evil attitudes to individuals.

What happens towards the end of the 6000 years

Matthew 24:22  "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Mark 13:20  "If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

Revelation 20:7-8  Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison  (8)  and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

There is some time left of the 6000 years for Satan to finish his work.

These are the basic Scriptures used for this subject.  Now let’s us look now at some circumstances information as proof.

Seven is important number in God’s plan.

Since the Garden of Eden, the seventh day has been the day of rest for God's people, represent 24-hour periods

Days represent years, for Jesus declared through Moses that every seventh year must be a year of rest and release, when all debts are canceled and the land lies fallow. 

Moses wrote:  end of every seven years, will grant a release of debts and release of Hebrew Servants: 

Deuteronomy 15:1  "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.

Exodus 21:2 "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.

Moses also wrote in: Six years sow your field, and prune your vineyard, but in the seventh year, a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land: 

Leviticus 25:3-4  Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit;  (4)  but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

Ezekiel tells us:  The Temple  will be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day, to be opened:  

Ezekiel 46:1  "'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day and on the day of the New Moon it is to be opened.

Hebrew servants were to be freed in the seventh year.

Exodus 21:2  "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.

The way we measure days, months, and years, these cycles of seven have nothing to do with astronomy--they are only known because of direct instruction from God. Interesting, every culture on earth observes a seven-day week, but there is nothing that I know of that would influence ancient people to mark off days in groups of seven

Except, the whole world practice this because Noah and his family did it, having received it from Adam, who in turn received it from Jesus.

God ordered the Israelites to march around Jericho six times, once each day for six days, without attempting to overtake the city. On the seventh day, seven priests blew a loud blast on their seven trumpets, and the entire assembly of Israel shouted, and God caused the walls of Jericho to collapse so that his people could rush in and conquer it: *Joshua 6:3-4 

Joshua 6:3-4  March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. (4) Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

The type of imagery here in relation to the end times and the 6000 year timeline is good! The people march for 6 days (God's people warning the world for 6000 years). 7 Priests blow the 7 trumpets (7 angels blowing the 7 end time trumpets). At the last trumpet sound they ascend up into the city of Jericho (Jesus returns after the last trump and the saints "are raised up and changed at Jesus return).

1 Corinthians 15:52  in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

John said he saw the 7 angels and 7 trumpets were given to them: 

Revelation 8:2  And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

Matthew wrote:  God will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds: 

Matthew 24:31  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

The start of the 7th thousand year, seven angels will sound seven trumpets, after which the archangel will give a mighty shout, and then the Bowls of Wrath will be poured out on the kingdom of Satan, starting with a massive earthquake that will bring down every wall in the entire world.  Type and anti-type.

Revelation 6:12  I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,

Moses recorded in, he was commanded to first wait for 6 days and only go up the mountain on the 7th day to receive the Law:  

Exodus 24:16-18  Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.  (17)  The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.  (18)  So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Jesus took his closest disciples to the Mountain “after six days and appeared in glory to them: 

Mark 9:2  Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.

What does this strange replay mean, something that requires careful thought?

Luke 13:32  He told them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Listen {or pay attention}! I am driving out demons and healing today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will finish my work.   {Prophecy} 

We know Jesus have not finish His mission.  The declaration only makes sense when we interpret the days as being millenniums or 1000 years: Jesus will heal people and rescue them from the enemy (Satan) for two thousand years after his ministry in Israel, and his mission will be completed after he has return and reigned on earth for the last thousand years.

These verses only makes sense only those who believe Jesus will return, a day as a 1000 years to the Lord.

Hosea 5:15  I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me."

Hosea 6:1-2  Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.  (2)  After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may “live in His sight”.    {Prophecy, when Jesus returns}

In 70 AD, the Holy Temple was destroyed, the city of Jerusalem was razed and the Jews were scattered to the winds.  Is this the beginning of the 5th 1000 or some believe at Jesus death.

Almost two thousand years, or two “days,” has passed, and Israel have returned to the land.   

What is the correct date of creation, 4004 or 3930 or 3952 BC, who really knows.

If we add 2000 years to AD 70 to arrive at approximately the end of the 6000  years.  Before you are saying I am setting a date that the year AD 2070 will make the return of Jesus to the earth and our change.  

We have to remember, we really do not know how much time is left because our time will be cut short for mankind and Satan will be let lose for a short period of time at the end of the 1000 years to complete his time.  Now if you can tell me how long that short period of time is, we can know when Jesus will return.

The early Christians believe Jesus will return in their own life time.

1 Thessalonians 4:15  According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

James 5:8-9  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.  (9)  Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Paul said:  In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay: 

Hebrews 10:37  For, "In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay."

We need, not be like, Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai, who grew weary of waiting for Moses to return, and thus fell into false worship and sin of life. Instead, we should be the good servants who tend to our master's business faithfully from day to day

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The reason that Jesus hasn't returned yet is because His people are not ready. God has an end time group of people to take the final warning to the world, when that group of people who are following Jesus and are ready, THEN the last days will begin in earnestly. 

Matthew 24:33  Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.

The Apostle Paul tells us clearly when Satan rule will come to an end and end the 6000 year rule of Satan on this earth or age. Paul wrote:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12  Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,  (2)  not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come.  (3)  Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.  

(4)  He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.  (5)  Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?  (6)  And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.  (7)  For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 

(8)  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.  (9)  The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,  

(10)  and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  (11)  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie (12) and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Finally, we have seen how God has secretly concealed the 7000 year plan from mankind.  Only by going through the Scriptures do we get a hint of the mystery of the 7000 year plan of God.

Yes, we do not know the exact time or date of Christ’s return, but we can be sure that the 6,000-year which God has given to man is about to be completed. God’s Sabbath rest is nearly here. We do not know when our time on this earth ends, and then we will wait until our change.

Acts 1:7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Acts 3:21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

Restore everything – very deep, restore from what  (garden of Eden?)

In the very near future, we will have the opportunity to teach mankind why it had to suffer; because of sin; because of disobedience to a loving parent; at that time, individuals will be able to see the fruits of that great love all around them.




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